Wizards statement

The Washington Wizards e-mailed the following statement today at 12:44:

"The Washington Wizards take this situation and the ongoing investigation very seriously. We are continuing to cooperate fully with the proper authorities and the NBA and will have no further comment at this time."

I just love smart ball players like Gilbert. I wish the Wizards had a whole team of players with his intelligence. Oops they do. 10 wins 20 loses. Last in the division. 3rd to last in the conference. $9 million over the cap. I'd say the team is getting it's "bang" for their bucks. Get the joke? Unfortunately, none of the fans are laughing.

Why was this story broken by the NY Post and NOT the Washington Post? Perhaps either the Post reporters are too close to the team and players, or the personnel cuts at the paper have left the sports section impotent. Either way, it is an embarrasment to a formerly great newspaper.

If the allegations turn out to be true in some shape or form, one would wonder if the Wizards have grounds for terminating Arenas' contract under the code of conduct clause. Obviously, the team is staying quiet pending the outcome of the investigation by the authorities. Equally as troubling is Agent Zero's complete lack of maturity and integrity.

If he had a beef with one of his teammates that had gotten to the point where he felt that his life was in danger, he should have gone to team management to address the situation. Bringing in a gun, loaded or unloaded, shows a complete lack of judgment on his part. I've lost complete respect for Arenas for his repeated lack of taking responsibility for his actions.

Hopefully, EG and the rest of the team's management will stop coddling Arenas and will suspend him to send a message. If the can void his contract and kick him off the team, that would be even better.

There has got to be grounds for termination with cause in the contract. The cause might be a really high bar like "felony conviction," but I imagine stuff like that is probably included in the contract (or in the collective bargaining agreement). A misdemeanor charge and conviction though probably aren't sufficient.

Not sure where this one goes.

My guess would be suspension without termination. But anyone's guess is as good as mine.

I love the way this organization always concludes every statement about something they don't want to talk about with "we...will have no further comment at this time." Obviously, in a police investigation they can't get in the way of the authorities. But one benefit from this entire mess, including the meltdown of the Big 3 and Flip's frustration, will to be bring in a front office that actually commuicates with the news media and the fans--and that holds its players accountable for their behavior, instead of leaving it all on the coaches to deal with the craziness.

Why was this story broken by the NY Post and NOT the Washington Post? Perhaps either the Post reporters are too close to the team and players, or the personnel cuts at the paper have left the sports section impotent. Either way, it is an embarrasment to a formerly great newspaper.

Posted by: tmazzaschi | January 1, 2010 2:23 PM | Report abuse

That and a previous story about how the Wiz actively tried to trade for TMac and move Gil to the Rockets.

First and foremost stop with the Gil for T-Mac trade talk that won't happen your trading one bad knee shell of himself star(McGrady) for another bad knee rapidly declining skills player and star(Arenas) and he's a self centered knucklehead too boot! and let's not let Critt off the hook either they both should serve suspensions and fines and like i said Gil should be focused on his game and the teams won -loss record then some silly gambling debt.

First and foremost stop with the Gil for T-Mac trade talk that won't happen your trading one bad knee shell of himself star(McGrady) for another bad knee rapidly declining skills player and star(Arenas) and he's a self centered knucklehead too boot!

Posted by: dargregmag | January 1, 2010 3:26 PM | Report abuse

You are not trading for TMac.

You are trading for his expiring contract.

If we have to choose between injured overpaid self-centered has-been stars, give me the one that you can boot to the curb after the season.

Here's the lede:NEW YORK -- Washington Wizards teammates Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton drew guns on each other during a Christmas Eve locker room argument over a gambling debt, according to The New York Post.

The only source for this so far that I've seen is an anonymous one quoted in the NY Post.

Comcast SportsNet's Chris Miller is reporting that Arenas did not point a gun at Crittenton and that Crittenton himself did not have a weapon. Miller has confirmed a Yahoo! Sports report that an incident between the players occurred before practice on December 21 and that the disagreement was over a bet.

"Wizards General Manager Ernie Grunfeld declined to comment. "It's in the hands of [Washington] authorities," said Grunfeld, a former star Knicks player and president. "We're going to get to the bottom of this, if there is a bottom to this."

I never, ever thought I'd say this, but I miss the hard-working mediocrity of the 80's teams. Ruland, Mahorn, Ballard. No drama. You knew they were playing as best as they could (and be rewarded with that middle round draft pick).
Okay, never mind, that was some boring dreck to watch. But they played that two on two Gene Shue (brilliant) offense to the playoffs every year. Screw it, go OKC!

I'd say suspension for the rest of the season if this drama proves true. If not an outright contract void, seems fair.

Posted by: DC_MAN88 | January 1, 2010 4:24 PM
Maybee that is why its being reported on the radio stations that As Wiz move to demolish roster, front office is seriously exploring a deal for T-Mac's expiring deal, sources say. Butler likely bait

I'm just sitting back and watching everybody go nuts...but just like the Texas Tech nonsense. Preliminary reports are rarely ever accurate. I don't know what happened...but how can a report say "nobody saw it" then provide a quote from the incident? The truth might be somewhere in the middle of Gil and NY Post's reports...but who knows.

And you people kill me with this classifying everyone as a thug thing. Some of you have no idea what a thug is...not even the slightest clue.

I noticed the aol site has changed their headline to "allegedly" whereas earlier i dont recall that term earlier in the day. I believe they just posted Two NBA Players Pull Guns on Each Other. Hopefully, it's not the real story. And as far as the betting goes, Gil has already made bets. I remember the All Star Game where Shaq betted that he wouldnt jump on the tramboline at half time. Gil did and Shaq didnt pay up (it was for Gils foundation).

Arenas is a sick, 3 toed fool who must be severly punished by the NBA & fired by the Wizards. He is a disgrace in every way.
Someday he will get his due and that day is not far away.
I will never go to a Wizards game while he is on the team.

I'd say suspension for the rest of the season if this drama proves true. If not an outright contract void, seems fair.

Posted by: DC_MAN88 | January 1, 2010 4:24 PM
Maybee that is why its being reported on the radio stations that As Wiz move to demolish roster, front office is seriously exploring a deal for T-Mac's expiring deal, sources say. Butler likely bait

Posted by: rnorris6 | January 1, 2010 4:28 PM | Report abuse "

Moving Caron has absolutely nothing to do with Gilby's gun charge or my suggestion of a suspension/contract void.

Also, people keep coming on here saying media outlets are changing or retracting their reports.

The only report that matters is that Gilby admitted bringing a weapon to the gym.

I think it's time to blow up this under performing bunch of lazy mofos. It was one thing to keep under performing on the court, it's another to dishonor the memory of Abe Pollin so soon after his death by doing something so monumentally stupid. I used to be a fan of Gilbert's and attributed most of his off-court shenanigans as youthful exuberance. But this just about tops all of that. He's a bum and Grunfeld will do well to blow this sh*t up before Ted Leonis comes in and fire all of them.

"Why was this story broken by the NY Post and NOT the Washington Post? Perhaps either the Post reporters are too close to the team and players, or the personnel cuts at the paper have left the sports section impotent. Either way, it is an embarrasment to a formerly great newspaper."

Posted by: tmazzaschi | January 1, 2010 2:23 PM | Report abuse

Our Post definitely isn't what it used to be, but it will never be as unreliable as the NY Post. Tabloids sensationalize to sell newspapers; Michael Lee is trying to get the real story, from all sides. He's tweeting and reporting here, and I suspect we'll have a print version in the morning. The Post has cut a lot of resources, but Lee remains a big asset.

P1FUNK: The Rockets will never make that trade and why would they? they are playing great right now w/o T-Mac and Ming so why would they bring in Gil and his ball-hogging ways not to mention he'd never get along with Rick Adelman, i get your point in terms of the expiring contract(T-Mac)i just don't see them risking team chemisrty.

P1FUNK: The Rockets will never make that trade and why would they? they are playing great right now w/o T-Mac and Ming so why would they bring in Gil and his ball-hogging ways not to mention he'd never get along with Rick Adelman, i get your point in terms of the expiring contract(T-Mac)i just don't see them risking team chemisrty.

Posted by: dargregmag | January 1, 2010 6:32 PM | Report abuse

Well, we already know that the Rockets aren't going to make that trade.

My question had to do with an ESPN report that said the Wiz actively tried to shop Arenas to the Rockets in exchange for Tmac, but they were turned down.

Does that enclude the latest rumor of Tmac for Butler and other un disclosed players ??? Because if Arenas does get suspended how would it mess up the team chemistry ??? How good is team chemistry as the team stands ??

Come on everyone, what is the matter with you ... He is the same guy MOST of you wanted so badly to sign and now since they are losing you want the guy to have his contract voided or for him to leave. Do you really consider yourself a great fan? besides Arenas in my opinion is doing everything he can to win games but the whole team needs to get better. Arenas is doing his job. Look at his NUMBERS? the guy had 3 major knee surgeries. He is not Kobe, Lebron or Wade but he is a heck of a player

Come on everyone, what is the matter with you ... He is the same guy MOST of you wanted so badly to sign and now since they are losing you want the guy to have his contract voided or for him to leave. Do you really consider yourself a great fan? besides Arenas in my opinion is doing everything he can to win games but the whole team needs to get better. Arenas is doing his job. Look at his NUMBERS? the guy had 3 major knee surgeries. He is not Kobe, Lebron or Wade but he is a heck of a player

"Come on everyone, what is the matter with you ... He is the same guy MOST of you wanted so badly to sign and now since they are losing you want the guy to have his contract voided or for him to leave. Do you really consider yourself a great fan? besides Arenas in my opinion is doing everything he can to win games but the whole team needs to get better. Arenas is doing his job. Look at his NUMBERS? the guy had 3 major knee surgeries. He is not Kobe, Lebron or Wade but he is a heck of a player